Rutgers knocks off Washington to go 4-0 for first time in over a decade

Rutgers bent but did not break in a down-to-the-wire, 21-18 win over Washington — last year’s national championship runner-up — Friday, moving to 4-0 for the first time since 2012. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and running back Kyle Monangai led the offense.And when they needed it, several boneheaded Huskies penalties helped out the Scarlet Knights.

The nationally televised game against was Rutgers’ first Big Ten matchup of the year after facing Howard, Akron and Virginia Tech to start the season. Kaliakmanis completed 14 of 24 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.Monangai produced his third consecutive 100-plus yard rushing game on a night that he surpassed Isiah Pacheco for seventh on Rutgers’ all-time rushing list. Monangai ran for 132 yards, which included a commanding rush in which he broke a number of tackles for a 42-yard gain in the third quarter. The Huskies managed to make the game interesting with a drive in the final minute, down by just three.

Washington was able to get the ball into Rutgers territory with a series of passes before kicker Grady Gross missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt wide left as time expired.It was his third missed field goal of the game. The Rutgers sideline poured out onto the field and the lights flickered in celebration when the final whistle sounded.

The Blackout Game at SHI Stadium drew 54,079 fans, the second-highest attendance in its history. “You could feel it in that stadium tonight.That’s what Big Ten football is, and that’s what I want for New Jersey,” Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said.

“That’s what I’ve always wanted for New Jersey, is to have that in our state.… Tonight was a good step, but that’s all it is.

It’s one win.It’s an exciting one; it’s a good one.” Monangai’s 1-yard rushing touchdown run with 11:16 left in the second quarter erased a 3-0 Scarlet Knights deficit. Later in the second, the Scarlet Knights took advantage of one of the Huskies’ biggest blun...